Handscomb called up as Finch's cover

Steve Smith says the coming one-day tour is part of the World Cup selection process

However, Smith didn't slip another word off his lips that could reveal the playing XI for the first match.

Smith however was insistent that Travis Head would be batting at number four leaving Cartwright the likely choice to open. "We've got a spinning allrounder, we've got allrounders who take the pace off the ball so we've got a few different options". He was however, dismissed for a second ball duck.

The conditions could hardly be more different, but Australia skipper Steve Smith insists his side's one-day global tour of India will play an important role in defending the World Cup in England.

Australia confirmed Cartwright had been handed ODI cap no.221 before the toss.

Smith is expecting large totals during the five-match series and has put the onus on his top order to produce a sizeable innings.

"We saw the last time we came here in 2013 it was a run-fest where 350 was around par".

He would add: "It's important for someone in the top four to go on and make a big score and we've got the guys in there to do that".

All-rounder Travis Head will be in line for the No. 4 spot amid speculations of him coming out alongside David Warner as an opener; while Hilton Cartwright is all set to make a debut for the team from Down Under, hinted the Australia skipper Steve Smith.